Sanata Fe, NM

[cjblake09]

Anyone been out to this area recently?  Going for work and might get a round in.  In looking at the Links de Santa Fe the course seems wide open tee time wise.  Is this not a good track or maybe in bad shape?  Not sure I have time to drive to Albuquerque to play one of the courses down there.  

[ephraim909]

Black Mesa is one of my favorites and worth the drive. I haven't been out in a couple years so not sure of current conditions but always a fun/challenging track. 

[cjblake09]

3 hours ago, ephraim909 said:

Black Mesa is one of my favorites and worth the drive. I haven't been out in a couple years so not sure of current conditions but always a fun/challenging track. 

Thanks for the suggestion!  Did not think to look north of town.

[puttnforthe8]

6 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

Anyone been out to this area recently?  Going for work and might get a round in.  In looking at the Links de Santa Fe the course seems wide open tee time wise.  Is this not a good track or maybe in bad shape?  Not sure I have time to drive to Albuquerque to play one of the courses down there.  

Can also do Cochiti a bit south.  
 

Black Mesa needs more time to get to prime shape.  But as mentioned a fun place.  I will probably play it at least one more time this weekend.

[cjblake09]

14 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Can also do Cochiti a bit south.  
 

Black Mesa needs more time to get to prime shape.  But as mentioned a fun place.  I will probably play it at least one more time this weekend.

 

 

 

 

Wonder what happened??

 

[puttnforthe8]

18 minutes ago, cjblake09 said:

 

 

 

 

Wonder what happened??

 

No idea.  Aeration issues maybe.  

[ephraim909]

I have never played it but Towa might be another option. 

[puttnforthe8]

8 minutes ago, ephraim909 said:

I have never played it but Towa might be another option. 

Terrible condition…almost unplayable if serious

[cjblake09]

2 minutes ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Terrible condition…almost unplayable if serious

I just saw a review on the Links saying it was in rough shape as well.  Looking like Black Mesa or driving south are my best options. 

[ThinkingPlus]

16 minutes ago, cjblake09 said:

I just saw a review on the Links saying it was in rough shape as well.  Looking like Black Mesa or driving south are my best options. 

Fortunately you don't have to go all the way to ABQ. Both Twin Warriors and Santa Ana are in Bernalillo and they used to be in good condition always. 

[Mike_C]

Used to live in Santa Fe, but moved in 2008. Played all those mentioned so far.  I used to play Links de Santa Fe as my home course.  Nice layout, decent shape, but have heard they have water shortage issues at times. 

 

Sad to see that about Cochiti, that was a fun course.  Sounds like they have let it go.  Here is a review from April of this year from TripAdvisor: This is one of the most beautiful settings I have ever seen for golf. I have played here many times but not in last four years. It is like seeing an old friend on his deathbed. Tee boxes are dirt. Fairways are patchy at best. And the greens are just a mess. There is no sign of maintenance on any part of the course. Never saw anyone working on it. Benches are falling apart. The pins and tee markers don’t appear to have been moved in months. It’s so so sad. I don’t know the why or who but if someone is in charge they are asleep at the wheel.

 

Black Mesa was always fun, so was Twin Warriors....

 

I think Santa Fe Country Club was open to public play.  Layout is not anything special,  but OK, but back then they did have very nice greens. 

[kcsf]

Cochiti is closed, as mentioned. Towa is in horrible shape, and Marty Sanchez is slowly coming back from a very dry winter. Black Mesa is in good condition 25min north of Santa Fe, or drive south to Santa Ana/Twin Warrior. I played Santa Ana yesterday and it's in great condition. Santa Fe Country Club has the best greens in town, but the layout is boring, as mentioned above. 

 

TL/DR, my rec would be to play Black Mesa or Santa Ana. 

[cjblake09]

2 hours ago, kcsf said:

Cochiti is closed, as mentioned. Towa is in horrible shape, and Marty Sanchez is slowly coming back from a very dry winter. Black Mesa is in good condition 25min north of Santa Fe, or drive south to Santa Ana/Twin Warrior. I played Santa Ana yesterday and it's in great condition. Santa Fe Country Club has the best greens in town, but the layout is boring, as mentioned above. 

 

TL/DR, my rec would be to play Black Mesa or Santa Ana. 

Thanks for all the info.   Looks like Santa Ana does not have times for Sunday.  I will have to rent clubs so need to decide if I want to pay a little more for BM or have the course to myself at Links.   Really just looking to kill some time and enjoy some nice weather. 

[kcsf]

13 hours ago, cjblake09 said:

Thanks for all the info.   Looks like Santa Ana does not have times for Sunday.  I will have to rent clubs so need to decide if I want to pay a little more for BM or have the course to myself at Links.   Really just looking to kill some time and enjoy some nice weather. 

 

Give Quail Run a call and ask for Drew. 9 hole course in-town that's a great option. 

[wingz9]

I go to Santa Fe almost every year and I really liked Black Mesa but my favorite is Paako Ridge. It's an hour drive south but it's a beautiful drive and the course is worth it if you have the time. I tried Cochiti several years ago and I'm not surprised it has closed, it was in terrible condition.

[cjblake09]

On 6/4/2025 at 3:09 PM, wingz9 said:

I go to Santa Fe almost every year and I really liked Black Mesa but my favorite is Paako Ridge. It's an hour drive south but it's a beautiful drive and the course is worth it if you have the time. I tried Cochiti several years ago and I'm not surprised it has closed, it was in terrible condition.

Really debating now driving to Paako but the $225 plus a rental set is steep but may only be in that area once.  Called BM and she said they are having some water issues but still ok per the clubhouse.   Also weird the last tee time is 1:30. 

[cjblake09]

Ended up playing Paako today and it was nice and pretty empty which is also nice when you are a single.  Maybe the rate of $225 is a little high in my opinion but overall a solid course.  Pretty tight driving on some holes and some crazy greens if not on the right side.  Also, 2 par 3's over 250?  This is not Oakmont!

[puttnforthe8]

Black Mesa is in pretty nice shape (playability factor a little lower).  We have had some good rain here, so the course is a bit wet in some areas, slow and shaggy.  I imagine in the coming weeks it is going to get really good.